Chargers done thinking about goal line

Team knows last game, however heartbreaking, can't linger into the next

Philip Rivers connects with Danny Woodhead on a 6 yard pass play that was initially called a touchdown but reversed. The chargers failed to convert a touchdown after this play settling for a field goal then losing in overtime 30-24.
— Sean M. Haffey

Philip Rivers connects with Danny Woodhead on a 6 yard pass play that was initially called a touchdown but reversed. The chargers failed to convert a touchdown after this play settling for a field goal then losing in overtime 30-24.
— Sean M. Haffey

A bloody maroon, ring-shaped cut, about a couple centimeters wide, sits on the bridge of Danny Woodhead's nose.

The gash was the only reminder Friday in the Chargers locker room of how the week began.

Music played. Players joked and laughed.

"That's the past," Woodhead said. "We're moving forward."

They must.

San Diego has proven able to respond from a loss, yet to suffer one this season in consecutive games. That focus is required again leading up to Sunday's game with the Broncos, a divisional matchup coming one week after an overtime defeat to Washington.

No more talk is heard about that game.

Woodhead declined this week to address what sources say the running back considers fact behind closed doors, and that is the football brushed against the pylon when diving for a touchdown in the final minute of the fourth quarter. He felt it. None of the available camera angles showed so, and the score, on which he busted his nose, was overturned upon review.

"You've got to move on to the Denver Broncos," Woodhead said.

No sense in sulking over that.

The spot of the ball, announced to be placed on the 6-inch line, was dropped near the 2-foot mark. The difference in distance led to a play-call change on first-and-goal when the Charger got to the line, and Woodhead ran for no gain after scoring a touchdown on the same play a game earlier.

No sense in sulking over that.

The NFL was asked for comment on its review process of game officials, referee Jerome Boger's touchdown overturn call, and placement of the ball thereafter.

"Every play of every game is reviewed by supervisors in our officiating department," league spokesman Michael Signora said. "The officials are graded on their performance, and those grades impact future assignments, including postseason games. As for the reversal of the touchdown, that is a judgment call, and in the opinion of the referee, there was indisputable visual evidence to overturn the on-field ruling."

This was a Friday. The Chargers weren't still reliving a second-down fade pass to tight end Antonio Gates that didn't connect or wide receiver Keenan Allen's missed pick block that resulted in a busted third-down play.

Their chances to win that game are done.

"You need to move on to the next game," tackle D.J. Fluker said. "That's the same thing in life. ... That loss stings, but it's going to make us even stronger down the line. That's what I believe. It's going to make us a whole lot stronger, a whole lot closer so we can play even harder for 60-minute games with little mental error."